The Bachelor of Counselling aims to develop graduates who are able to practise professionally according to the values and ethics of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC). As such they will have the knowledge and skills to enable them to be competent, critical and reflective beginning practitioners with a sound theoretical base from which to practise; and the skills to practise independently and co-operatively within a culturally diverse and ethically appropriate counselling context. They will meet the competencies specified by NZAC for provisional membership as counselling practitioners.

At the completion of the Bachelor of Counselling graduates will be able to: Meet the counselling competencies and requirements for provisional registration of the NZAC, Apply the NZAC Code of Ethics and relevant legislation and practice as a competent counsellor in a range of work settings, Critically evaluate the theoretical and practice frameworks of counselling, Demonstrate an ability to integrate theory and practice under clinical supervision, Use knowledge of two counselling theories and their associated skills and practices to work ethically and professionally with individuals, couples, groups, families and communities, Demonstrate an ability to establish and maintain close, empathetic counselling relationships with clients, Apply an understanding of theories and emerging research about human development, identity formation and behaviour, to counselling, Assess the influence and impacts of society, culture, community, school, family, health, media, globalisation and politics play in shaping people and apply understanding when working in a counselling relationship, Work effectively in Treaty partnership with tangata whenua and work safely with people from diverse cultures, Demonstrate the skills needed to acquire, understand, evaluate, synthesise, record and present information from a range of sources, Demonstrate the ability to work safely and collaboratively within organisational policies, procedures and protocols and to plan and organise own work, Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, Engage in reflective practice, peer review, professional monitoring/supervision and self-directed learning, Demonstrate professional and personal awareness and responsibility through management of own wellbeing and on-going professional development, Demonstrate strong inter- and intra-personal skills, teamwork and supervision skills,Demonstrate intellectual independence, critical thinking and analytic rigour, Participate in evidence-based practice and research activities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Counselling have opportunities of further post graduate study at Universities and Unitec Polytechnic in New Zealand.

Academic: 42 credits at level 3 or higher, including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from one or two additional subjects; and a minimum of 14 numeracy credits at level 1 or higher; and a minimum of 8 literacy credits at level 2 or higher (4 credits in reading and 4 credits in writing) or achieved a level 4 or 5 qualification in a related field Or:Equivalent personal, practical, professional or educational experience of an appropriate kind.
Other: Basic computing ability with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages or similar software.
Applicants will have to undergo a police check for entry into this programme. In the event of an adverse police report, entry into the programme will be at the discretion of the Head of School. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

English Language: IELTS (Academic) 6 with no less than 5.5 in reading and writing or achieved the academic entry requirement in New Zealand or achieved the academic entry requirement at an institution where English was the language of instruction and assessment